With daylight savings behind us (well . . . it’s always behind me . . . I live in Arizona, after all . . .) and spring just around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to send a newsletter filled with new beginnings (and maybe an ending or two).

I love this season because the chilly days of winter are behind us, but it’s not too hot to enjoy the great outdoors quite yet (even with AZ’s record early heat this year). In fact, as I type, I’m soaking up some sun in my backyard and sipping on an iced Americano. I can’t think of a more perfect “office” to work from.

I have some exciting events coming up this spring, and I have a couple of big announcements in store, too, one of which I didn’t even expect to be making. Keep reading to be the first to hear the latest and greatest (and enter a bookish giveaway just in time for spring reading)!

Spring Newsletter Highlights

🥳 Upcoming Events: Tucson Festival of Books, Prescott Library Book Fest, and more!

📖 An Unexpected New Release: Coming this June . . .

✍️ Big Changes Ahead: What’s next for writing and Substack?

📚 StoryCon Recap: My favorite part of every conference I attend is . . .

🏆 Realm Makers Readers’ Choice Awards

🌱 Spring Book Recs 📚

✨ Book Baby + Starbucks Giveaway: Unblemished is turning 10! ☕

🥳 Upcoming Events

I am so excited to be attending the Tucson Festival of Books this year! I have a wagon full of books ready to sell and sign, and I can’t wait to meet all the new readers who will be braving the heat alongside me. It’s going to be toasty, with a high of 90 degrees tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, so be sure to hydrate and pack your sunscreen.

You can find me from 10 am to 1 pm at the Indie Author Experience’s YA/Teen Pavilion. I will have copies of all my books for sale. Or bring your own from home, and I’d be delighted to sign them!

You can also catch me this May at the Prescott Valley Library’s Book Fest. Just like the Tucson Festival of Books, this is a free event! I’ll be teaching my class on “Storytelling Disney Style,” signing books, and sharing my thoughts on fantasy worldbuilding. The event takes place at the Prescott Valley Library from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

I do have one more event announcement coming your way this year, but I must keep my lips zipped for now. If you have any guesses as to which BIG summer event I'll be attending, drop your best guess in the poll below!

📖 An Unexpected New Release

Some of you may remember my post in the fall when I shared about all the hardships of 2025, including my miscarriage of twins. We experienced so much loss last year, and we had no idea what ups and downs 2026 would bring. All we knew was that we would be relying on the Lord every step of the way. (Isn’t that always the case?)

The last thing our family expected was to be welcoming a new little one this summer. (Surprise!) If you happened to see me hobbling around StoryCon in February, you undoubtedly guessed something was a bit different about me. To be honest, after my miscarriage last year, I was a little uncertain when (or if) I should announce this unexpected blessing publicly. What if this baby’s heart stopped beating, too?

Well, I just had my 20-week ultrasound a few days ago, and baby has a healthy heartbeat and is very active. We will be welcoming this unexpected “new release” this June.

Several of you who knew this news a little early have asked how you can support our family with a new baby coming, or if we have a registry for gifts and baby things. As always, I am blown away by the kindness of my readers and fellow writers in this community. One way to support us right now is to continue to buy or spread the word about my books. Request them at your local library, give them as gifts to friends and family, or recommend them to the readers in your life.

If you still feel led to contribute otherwise, we need a reliable family vehicle and funds to cover medical leave and other costs that have come up surrounding my high-risk pregnancy. If you’d like to contribute or learn more about our situation, you can visit our GoFundMe page.

✍️ Big Changes Ahead

Now that the big secret’s out of the bag, our other news is that we have come to a place where selling the dream home we built two years ago is unavoidable. My husband was laid off shortly after we closed on our home in 2024, and recovering from that the past two years has been a challenge. With the new baby, downsizing, and another move ahead of us, I will be unable to keep up with posting paid content to Substack for the foreseeable future.

Here’s what it means for me moving forward:

• All paid Substack subscriptions will be paused indefinitely. If you are currently a paid subscriber, thank you! I will be sending out an email to paid subscribers by the end of March, which will include additional bonus content and downloadable resources for your use. My hope is that this will more than cover your investment in me and my content for however long you’ve been subscribing. Be sure to take advantage of the paid content I’ve already shared as well.

• Newsletters will switch back to FloDesk moving forward. You don’t need to do anything. All current paid and unpaid subscribers will migrate with me over there.

• I may still post here on Substack from time to time. I love the blog-style setup and community Substack offers. The main reason for this shift back regarding my newsletter platform specifically is to take some things off my plate as we prepare to move and welcome our fourth child into the world this summer. It also gives me more time to work on the next book, something I’ve been longing to share more about (and I promise I will when the time comes)!

I have been so blessed by and grateful to all who have supported this endeavor since it launched last summer. Thank you for your grace, understanding, and flexibility as we adjust to this new season of life.

📚 StoryCon Recap

Spoiler alert: the best part (by far) of every conference I attend isn’t the book sales. It’s not the marketing opportunity, nor is it getting to stand up on stage and talk about writing for an hour (though those are big bonuses).

No, the best part of every event and conference continues to be the community shared with both readers and writers alike.

While my class attendance at StoryCon this year was modest (who can compete when Brandon Sanderson and Jennifer A. Nielsen are on the schedule?), those who did attend my workshop on facing rejection as an author were incredibly encouraging. One of you even brought me a handwritten note, thanking me for what I shared. 🥹 I know we all face rejection, and my goal is always to send class attendees away feeling both hopeful and equipped as they tackle the road ahead.

My middle daughter was a huge help at my book signing (she’s the inspiration behind Madi Hatter in The Wonderland Trials, FYI). I also snagged an ARC of Sara B. Larson’s upcoming clean adult romance, Every Beat After, releasing just in time for my birthday this June.

Overall, StoryCon was a whirlwind of walking (I got all my daily steps in), talking (never enough time with my author friends), laughing, and signing all the books. I look forward to my next events coming later this spring and early summer, where I will get to soak in more of my favorite people—YOU!

🏆 Realm Makers Readers’ Choice Awards

The Realm Makers Readers’ Choice Awards are officially open for nominations. Glass Across the Sea is eligible to be nominated as a 2025 release!

If you’re a member of the RealmSphere, read GAtS and loved it, and feel so inclined to put it in the hat for award consideration, I’d be ever so grateful.

Vote for Your Favorite Reads of 2025

🌱 Spring Book Recs 📚

I don’t have much time to read these days, but here are some books I recently enjoyed (or am currently enjoying) and LOVED (and think you will love too)!

✨ Book Baby + Starbucks Giveaway ☕

It’s 2026, which means Unblemished turns 10 this year! While my debut novel doesn’t officially turn a decade until this fall, it was about this time of year in 2016 when I officially hit send on my completed and revised manuscript, and that’s a milestone worth commemorating!

With a real baby coming this summer, I thought it appropriate to celebrate with a book baby giveaway this spring. All you have to do to enter to win a paperback copy of Unblemished + a $10 Starbucks Gift Card is share the link to this newsletter post on any social media platform and submit your entry via this Google form. I’ll draw a random winner from the entries in April and announce on social media, as well as in my next newsletter.

Enter the Book Baby Giveaway

Thank you again for your support of my writing these last 10 years! I truly couldn’t do this without you.

How You Can Support Me

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

🚙 Donate to our family vehicle fund.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

🌟 Recap & Highlights

We had some great questions on being creative through a season of burnout, writing deity figures into our stories, and finishing that draft. I shared a bit about my own journey with some of these struggles, and I offered encouragement and practical tips that have helped me along the way. Some of the more practical tips included:

Read more

Workshop content is available exclusively for paid subscribers. Free subscribers will always have access to a brief preview above the paywall. Thank you to all my subscribers for your continued support!

Workshop Description

As authors of faith, we often struggle with how much of what we believe to include in our novels. But, because we are authors of faith, we have the unique opportunity to bring light into the darkness through the stories we tell. We want our readers to see Jesus in our stories without overexplaining or “telling” them the moral or lesson we want to convey.

That’s where Aslan comes in.

In this workshop, we’ll tackle the topic of weaving a spiritual theme into our stories that is both subtle and powerful at once. We’ll look at the difference between preaching and presenting spiritual truths, how to handle criticism of faith in our stories, and writing for the general market versus writing for the Christian market.

If you’re ready to dive deep and discover the spiritual theme your novel’s been missing, this is the workshop for you.

Where we left off . . .

Whether you’ve completed the pages in the first three parts of the workbook or you’re still working through them, feel free to continue with this workshop at your own pace. Here’s what we covered in Part 3:

• Dealing with criticism and cancel culture as a Christian author.

• The world’s expectations vs. God’s expectations.

• Tackling tough story theme questions.

In Part 4, we will conclude with:

• Weaving spiritual themes into our character arcs and giving our characters a reason to hope.

• Representing God and the Bible without always having an “Aslan” character.

• Choices and consequences for our characters that “present” a theme instead of “preach” one.

Read more

While the Q&A will be focused on this topic, I also invite you to come with any and all writing-related questions. You can ask your questions during the live event or submit them ahead of time via this Google form.

Submit your question beforehand

To protect the privacy of attendees and to keep our space safe, this event is for paid subscribers only. All registrations will be verified before approval.

Introverted? No worries! You can keep your camera and mic turned off and just listen (and participate in the comments) if you wish. The replay will be available to paid subscribers within a week following the live event.

When: Friday, February 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. MST

Where: Zoom (Keep scrolling to gain access to the registration link below the paywall. ⬇️

UPGRADE TO PAID

When more friends use your referral link to subscribe (free or paid), you’ll receive special benefits.

• Get a 1-month comp for 5 referrals

• Get a 3-month comp for 10 referrals

• Get a 6-month comp for 25 referrals

REFER A FRIEND

Ways You Can Support Me

✅ Upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to exclusive content.

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

Read more

Workshop content is available exclusively for paid subscribers. Free subscribers will always have access to a brief preview above the paywall. Thank you to all my subscribers for your continued support!

Workshop Description

As authors of faith, we often struggle with how much of what we believe to include in our novels. But, because we are authors of faith, we have the unique opportunity to bring light into the darkness through the stories we tell. We want our readers to see Jesus in our stories without overexplaining or “telling” them the moral or lesson we want to convey.

That’s where Aslan comes in.

In this workshop, we’ll tackle the topic of weaving a spiritual theme into our stories that is both subtle and powerful at once. We’ll look at the difference between preaching and presenting spiritual truths, how to handle criticism of faith in our stories, and writing for the general market versus writing for the Christian market.

If you’re ready to dive deep and discover the spiritual theme your novel’s been missing, this is the workshop for you.

Where we left off . . .

In Part 2, we concluded with our first “supposal,” and I challenged you to change the script of defeat, self-doubt, and lies the enemy whispers that keep you from writing. Instead of “always winter and never Christmas,” let’s commit to seeing whatever season of writing or creativity hardship we are in as “right now winter, someday Christmas.”

Whether you’ve completed the pages in the first two parts of the workbook or you’re still working your way through, feel free to continue with this workshop at your own pace. Here’s what we covered in Part 2:

• Writing even when you don’t have all the answers yet.

• Universal vs. spiritual themes.

• Combatting the villains of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

In Part 3, we will continue to explore C.S. Lewis’s idea of “supposing.” In this part, we will cover:

• Dealing with criticism and cancel culture as a Christian author.

• The world’s expectations vs. God’s expectations.

• Tackling tough story theme questions.

Read more

Workshop content is available exclusively for paid subscribers. Free subscribers will always have access to a brief preview above the paywall. Thank you to all my subscribers for your continued support!

Workshop Description

As authors of faith, we often struggle with how much of what we believe to include in our novels. But, because we are authors of faith, we have the unique opportunity to bring light into the darkness through the stories we tell. We want our readers to see Jesus in our stories without overexplaining or “telling” them the moral or lesson we want to convey.

That’s where Aslan comes in.

In this workshop, we’ll tackle the topic of weaving a spiritual theme into our stories that is both subtle and powerful at once. We’ll look at the difference between preaching and presenting spiritual truths, how to handle criticism of faith in our stories, and writing for the general market versus writing for the Christian market.

If you’re ready to dive deep and discover the spiritual theme your novel’s been missing, this is the workshop for you.

Where we left off . . .

In Part 1, we ended with C.S. Lewis’s idea of “supposing.” Lewis preferred to “suppose” rather than symbolize or view his work as “allegory.”

Whether you’ve completed the pages in the Part 1 workbook or you’re still working your way through, feel free to continue with this workshop at your own pace. Here’s what we covered in Part 1:

• Understanding themes through the lens of your personal story.

• Recognizing common story themes. Your story isn’t limited to one theme.

• Relying on the Lord to show us our story’s spiritual theme.

• Knowing the difference between spiritual theme and allegory.

In Part 2, we will dive deeper into C.S. Lewis’s idea of “supposing.” In this part, we will cover:

• Writing even when you don’t have all the answers yet.

• Universal vs. spiritual themes.

• Combatting the villains of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

Read more

Workshop content is available exclusively for paid subscribers. Free subscribers will always have access to a brief preview above the paywall. Thank you to all my subscribers for your continued support!

Workshop Description

As authors of faith, we often struggle with how much of what we believe to include in our novels. But, because we are authors of faith, we have the unique opportunity to bring light into the darkness through the stories we tell. We want our readers to see Jesus in our stories without overexplaining or “telling” them the moral or lesson we want to convey.

That’s where Aslan comes in.

In this workshop, we’ll tackle the topic of weaving a spiritual theme into our stories that is both subtle and powerful at once. We’ll look at the difference between preaching and presenting spiritual truths, how to handle criticism of faith in our stories, and writing for the general market versus writing for the Christian market.

If you’re ready to dive deep and discover the spiritual theme your novel’s been missing, this is the workshop for you.

Why This Topic Matters

I believe this topic is important because spiritual themes in novels are, for the author of faith, the very heart of the stories we tell. They add depth to the story, the characters, the plot, and even the setting. And finding our spiritual themes can often be as challenging as finding our author voice. I personally struggle to pinpoint exactly what my theme is, and it often doesn’t make itself known until I’m done with the first draft.

My hope is that by sharing what I have learned about weaving spiritual themes into my own novels, I might help you as you embark on the journey to finding yours.

What’s Your Theme?

To understand theme, we must first understand story. And to understand how they complement one another, we must first recognize that story and theme are everywhere, woven into everything around us.

Read more

I took most of December off to rest and slow down for the Christmas season. But January is here, and I promise I haven’t forgotten about you. As Princess Ana from Frozen would say, “The wind blows a little bit colder, and we’re all getting older . . . but some things never change.”

I don’t know about you, but I certainly feel older after living through 2025. But it’s also true that some things really do stay the same. Like the fact that I am thrilled we are getting a Frozen 3 in 2027! Frozen 2 was an inspiring sequel, especially for this discovery writer. If you haven’t watched the making of the second film, I highly recommend checking out Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 on Disney+. It’s one of those “behind the scenes” bonus features, and it was a great reminder that not all writers write or create the same.

As I step “into the unknown” (as Queen Elsa might say) of 2026 and all that lies ahead for my family, my writing, and everything in between, I am grateful to serve a Creator who lives outside of time. All things are known to Him. There is nothing that can or will happen that is a surprise to God. There is no word I will write, hardship I might face, or joy I might experience this year that isn’t part of His perfect plan. I hope you’ll stick around for the journey and all this year has in store, and take comfort in knowing you do not have to go through any of it alone.

January Highlights

✍️ New Year, New Writing Goals

🌊 Glass Across the Sea is on sale!

📖 Living Chosen Through Stories: Guest Post + Giveaway 🎁

❤️ Up Next for Paid Subscribers: Spiritual Theme Workshop Series

🥳 In-Person Event: See me at StoryCon!

✍️ New Year, New Writing Goals

I haven’t written a single word since November. It’s hard to admit that, especially following a productive No-Word-Count November and hitting over 13K words written in total on my manuscript-in-progress. But between the holidays and editing deadlines for various clients, plus some unexpected health issues, my creative side has been completely drained.

But January is the month for resolutions, right? A time for motivation, inspiration, and creation . . .

Just typing those words actually makes me a bit tired, to be honest. I’ve been thinking about the word resolution a lot since the new year began. It’s the act of making a firm decision for or against something. I won’t eat sugar. I will walk every day. I won’t procrastinate on my novel this time. I will make writing a priority.

As I mulled over “resolution” and its meaning, my mind turned to my Creator. What resolution would He have me set this year?

I tend to create reasonable expectations for myself. For example, when I began working on my new manuscript in September 2025, I had nine whole months ahead of me to draft, and then I would have all of summer 2026 to edit and revise before submitting my story to my publisher in October. Reasonable, right?

Well, it would have been . . . if I had been steadily working toward that goal five days a week, with maybe an hour of writing time on those days. A nice, even pace. A doable pace. A pace that, for all intents and purposes, shouldn’t have been too difficult to keep.

Except, I didn’t keep it. I wrote all weekend at a writing retreat in September, only to leave my manuscript untouched until November. I worked so hard and consistently all month long in November, only to find myself with no energy or motivation to do any writing in December.

As someone who keeps my entire life organized in a calendar on my phone, I find it difficult to commit to a concrete writing schedule. Every day is different as a work-from-home writer, editor, and homeschool mom, with new roadblocks or unexpected hiccups. Knees are scraped, sickness occurs, and phone calls have to be made. There is always something that takes precedent over writing.

But I’d like 2026 to be the year that changes. I can’t do it on my own, but I can do it with the Lord by my side. Which is why Proverbs 16:3 is standing out to me this year.

I think part of my failure to commit to a writing schedule comes down to feeling guilty for writing in the first place (a.k.a. doing something for myself) instead of focusing on other, more important (in my mind) tasks. Isn’t it selfish of me to spend time writing when I have clients waiting on edits, when my dyslexic son needs more one-on-one reading time with me, when the sink is full of dishes, when pretty much anything and everything seems to be more of a priority?

The truth is that all of those things matter immensely, but so does my story. If I believe writing is an act of worship and obedience to the Lord (and I do!), then why on earth would I think of it as less important?

So here are my writing goals for 2026.

• Start with Story. Since I believe writing is connected to my relationship with God, I am committing this year to weaving writing into my focused quiet time. This means waking earlier in the mornings so I can spend time in God’s Word and with the story He has laid on my heart to tell. It won’t be easy. I struggled just getting up earlier today to finish this newsletter (that I started writing weeks ago). But they say it takes consistency to form good habits, so my goal this year is to be consistent in starting most mornings this way. Even if I only spend ten minutes on my novel, ten is better than zero.

• Pursue the Story. Just like a groom pursues his bride, I’d like to view my story in the same way. Not through the lens of word count or even reaching an ending, but as a passion worth pursuing. As a calling worth my time, effort, and intentions. Writing must be intentional. It will never happen if I wait for the perfect window each day or if I wait until I feel like writing. Love is an action, not a feeling, and since I love writing, I have to act upon it, even on days when the emotion or inspiration aren’t present.

• Pray through the Story. This is always a goal of mine, but it’s easy to get caught up in “just getting the draft done” and leaving prayer as an afterthought. My hope is to intentionally pray over each character, each chapter, each writing session. By God’s grace alone (as it is with every story), this novel will be complete (and full of heart) before my deadline.

What do you say? Will you join me in the pursuit of your story this year? Have you made any writing goals for 2026? Let me know in the post comments so I can cheer you on!

Glass Across the Sea is on sale!

The holidays are over, but 2026 TBR lists are just beginning. A new year means a clean reading slate. Gone are the unmet goals of last year (and I’ve given up on reading goals at this point—I simply read to enjoy it when I can find the time these days). If you’re still adding to your “Want to Read” list for the year ahead and you’ve been on the fence about Glass Across the Sea, now’s the time to hop that fence and snag a deal! (Corny, I know, but is it working? 😉)

The hardcover of Glass Across the Sea is 38% off on Amazon right now. I have no idea how long this sale will last, so don’t wait. My Cinderella meets the Count of Monte Cristo retelling is filled with magic, hope, and light—all the things you need on dark and cold winter days.

Grab the Deal!

📖 Living Chosen Through Stories: Guest Post + Giveaway 🎁

Author friendships are truly the highlight of being a part of the writing community. I “met” fellow Christian fantasy author Tabitha Caplinger online years ago. It’s been so long now, I don’t even remember exactly how we became connected. All I know is I am grateful for her friendship and encouragement over the years. Though we’ve only spent maybe ten minutes in person together, I consider her one of my favorite people. And this month, I was blessed to be invited to share a bit about what “Living Chosen Through Stories” means to me. I hope you’ll check out the post and be encouraged as you pursue writing for the Lord and His glory.

Living Chosen with Tabitha Caplinger

Sara Ella: Living Chosen Through Stories

“We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand…

Read more

3 months ago · 8 likes · Sara Ella

We also have a multi-author giveaway happening now through February 22nd! Enter to win a book bundle PLUS a $15 gift card! Every story featured is written to encourage and challenge you to live chosen—to know God and make Him known.

Enter the giveaway!

❤️ Up Next for Paid Subscribers: Spiritual Theme Workshop Series

My last workshop series—Head vs. Heart Story—was all about finding the story you were meant to tell. The story God has called you to write. If you haven’t had a chance to go through that three-part workshop, all content is now available for you to access at your own pace. Read through the posts and download the full presentation. You can also listen to the audio on the Substack app.

My next workshop series stays on theme with the story of your heart, but we are going to dive a bit deeper into the topic of spiritual themes. “Finding Aslan: Discovering Your Novel’s Spiritual Theme” is a class I’ve worked to hone over the years. It’s one I’ve taught at various conferences, and it is one of my all-time favorite topics to cover. I’m thrilled to finally be sharing this content here with you.

Paid subscribers get exclusive access to all workshop content, as well as to community Zoom events, and more. The first post in the series will go live on Friday, January 23rd, with a new post each Friday through February 13th. Then, on February 13th, I’ll host a special live Q&A when you can ask me all your spiritual theme (or any other writing-related) questions. The Zoom invite link will be included in the workshop series posts.

I hope you’ll take this journey with me to “Finding Aslan.” Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions!

🥳 In-Person Event: See me at StoryCon!

I won’t be doing as many in-person events this year as usual, so I hope you’ll visit me at one of the few I plan to attend. I am so excited to have the chance to speak at StoryCon in Salt Lake City, UT, again in 2026. I loved making so many wonderful connections at this event last year with authors and readers alike. I’ll be teaching a class called “Infinity Rejections and Beyond: Why Criticism is Critical to an Author’s Growth.” If you’ll be attending too, I hope you’ll come say “hello!”

Get StoryCon Tickets!

So Long, Farewell

That’s the news for January. As always, please don’t hesitate to reply via email or leave a comment on this post. I love hearing from you! Until next month, happy reading, writing, and everything in between!

How You Can Support Me

✅ Upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to exclusive content.

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

If you’ve never had the privilege of viewing this classic, there’s no time like the present. I prefer to watch it in its original black and white, though you can also watch it in an updated color version.

In my humble opinion, it’s impossible to watch this film without getting a little teary-eyed at the end. Even my husband (who never cries during movies) has to wipe his eyes during that final scene.

The story follows George Bailey, and George has big dreams. He wants to travel and see the world. To shake the dust of his boots and leave his small town of Bedford Falls behind. But, as we all know, big plans don’t always work out the way we, well . . . planned. Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

I’ve been in publishing since 2015 as both an author and an editor. Over my decade of experience in this industry, I’ve learned firsthand just how different reality can be from fantasy. If I were to have a conversation with baby author Sara Ella back in 2015, she might ask me things like, “Were we ever interviewed on The Today Show? Did we do a book tour in England? Which of our novels was on The New York Times bestsellers list?”

I’d have to pat her hand, smile, and break the news gently. “We never accomplished any of those original dreams,” I’d tell her. “But,” I’d say with a sly smile and a wink, “we’ve been blessed with so much more than we ever imagined!”

And that’s where I’d like to camp out on this final day of 2025. Many of you know and have experienced that this year was not all it was cracked up to be. Some of us might even say we are crawling out of 2025, just hoping and praying 2026 will be a smidge better.

I could certainly spend an entire post or even a series on all the ways 2025 did me wrong. But doing so would be to ignore the Lord’s sovereignty and hand in the good as well as the more difficult. So instead, I’d like to focus on 5 lessons I learned from George Bailey (“the richest man in town”) as a non-bestselling author.

Lesson 1: Staying Faithful Matters More Than Fame

Throughout the film, George Bailey shows himself to be a faithful friend, neighbor, husband, and father. He chooses what is right over what is easy. He protects Mr. Gower, saves his brother Harry from drowning, and steps in when his family and the entire town need him most. He chooses the people of Bedford Falls over his own honeymoon, making sure they have what they need amidst trying financial times. He keeps his father’s legacy and business alive for the good of the town, and he even takes the blame when his uncle misplaces a large sum of money, at risk to his own freedom.

Likewise, staying faithful to the Lord in our writing can present many challenges along the way. When we write from our worldview and convictions, we may find our stories don’t sell as well as we might have hoped. We might be tempted to write for the world, catering to what’s popular and selling or trending, rather than staying true to the story God has called us to.

George Bailey wanted his life to go a very different way in the beginning, but he stayed. He was faithful to the path that God set before him, even if it wasn’t the path he planned or hoped for.

I am not famous by any stretch of the word. My name is known among small Christian writing circles, but put me at a popular general market event, and not a soul knows who I am. They’ve never heard of me or my books. I have to fight for space in those instances and prove I belong among the authors who have become household names.

And yet, I wouldn’t trade my unknowness for anything because I know it’s where God has placed me. Faithfulness matters more than fame. Stay faithful to the Lord in your writing and career, and trust Him to do with it what He wills.

Lesson 2: Serving is the Picture of True Success

George reaches a certain point in his story, looks back on his life, and mistakes himself for a failure. He’s desperate to find an answer to help him out of the mess he’s found himself in.

But the truth is that anyone who has witnessed George and how he lives his life can see that he has a servant’s heart, and that alone has made him a successful man, maybe not in the world’s eyes (a.k.a the story’s villain, Mr. Potter), but certainly in the eyes of the Lord. George may not have the biggest house in town or even the most sophisticated career, but he’s dedicated his life to serving those he loves. He’s made sacrifices to help others get ahead. He’s chosen others above himself. George is a true example of Philippians 2:3–4.

In the same way, as authors of faith, we have the unique calling to serve the Lord and others through the stories we tell. I have seven published novels under my belt, but I am not any closer to living solely off my writing than I was ten years ago. Even so, my success is not measured in dollar signs, but in the lives of the readers I have been privileged to touch. I’m grateful for every note, message, and heartfelt email that comes my way. When low numbers on quarterly statements tempt me to feel like a failure as an author, God reminds me that His version of success is defined in Scripture, not by sales or accolades on this earth that will eventually pass away.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:24–24

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19–21

Lesson 3: Unseen Impact is Sometimes the Greatest of All

You may never know all the lives you touch with your written words. Your number one reader may never leave a review. Your book may never be featured on an endcap at Barnes and Noble, and you may never be invited to speak at industry events or conferences.

But God sees you. He hears your prayer as you offer your story to Him. He knows your desires. And He already knows every reader who will ever be impacted by your stories, regardless of sales or reviews.

George Bailey wanted to end his own life at one point. He believed he had no impact, and as such, he thought it might be better if he had never been born. We all need a “Clarence” or guardian angel of sorts to remind us that sort of nonsense is a lie from the enemy.

Let the psalmist remind you of that today. In Psalm 139, we read that we are personally known by the Creator of Heaven and Earth. That He knitted us together—we are fearfully and wonderfully made! He wrote our days before we ever existed.

“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.” – Psalm 139:13–14

You may not see the impact you make, but God does. He knows. Trust Him to put your stories in the right readers’ hands, and keep writing faithfully.

Lesson 4: Small Ministry is Still Ministry

George Bailey didn’t change the world (at least he didn’t see it this way at first). He saw his brother Harry as a true hero because he served in the military and saved whole herds of soldiers from certain death. But George was a hero in his own right. He didn’t change the world, but he did change his world. His ministry didn’t reach farther than the borders of his small town (or so he believed), but that didn’t make it any less of a ministry.

I am often asked for writing advice from authors who are just starting out. One thing I tell them before they ever land a contract or cash an advance check is this: “You will be someone’s favorite author. And that one person impacted is enough.”

If George hadn’t saved his brother Harry from drowning as a kid, Harry never would have gone on to save all those soldiers. So, in a way, George not only changed his world, he changed the world after all. Small ministry is still ministry. And you never truly know how far that ministry will reach or how many readers you will inspire or change. The knowing isn’t important. It’s the doing and trusting that matters.

Lesson 5: The Ending is God’s to Write

George Bailey thought he had a better plan than God. But the ending wasn’t George’s to write. He received the gift of a glimpse of what life would be like without him. And through that glimpse, he learned he’d been completely wrong. His life, his ministry, his impact, his faithfulness, and his servanthood did matter. It all mattered.

Your story matters too. Don’t give up. Don’t let the enemy convince you to quit when finishing that manuscript seems impossible. Don’t stop writing the story God has called you to, even if rejections pour in. God already knows the outcome and the timing. He’s written the ending. You are simply called to walk in His will and trust Him with the rest.

I am incredibly grateful for every reader who has taken a chance on my stories. I will likely never be a bestselling author. If I had known that ten years ago, would I have quit and chosen another profession? I can’t answer that. But today I can say I wouldn’t trade my “unsuccessful” (in the world’s eyes) career for another one. I don’t think George Bailey would trade the path he walked either. And I can only hope to be a little like him.

Looking back over the last ten years, I see my life as an author has truly been a wonderful one, ups and downs included. And while “Auld Lang Syne” may have us looking to the past (for old time’s sake), I prefer the lyrics of “All Glory Be to Christ” (sung to the same tune), as a hopeful outlook for the future.

And it is with those lyrics I sign off for 2025. May your new year be blessed and filled with the love and light of Christ. I look forward to serving you here on Substack in 2026 and through future stories, for the glory of God alone.

Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ

All glory be to Christ our King
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ

Written by Kings Kaleidoscope

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Advice on improving my craft.

Advice on how to structure a good story.

Advice on how to work with a literary agent.

Advice on how to make the most out of my time at a writers’ conference.

But amidst all of that, in the years I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the most experienced folks in the industry, the best piece of writing advice I ever received remains the same.

The Feedback that Changed My Story

Travel back in time with me to 2013. I was a baby writer who’d just discovered ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). I had a couple of critique partners (still love those ladies), and I’d just begun entering writing contests for unpublished (but hopeful) authors such as myself.

When ACFW’s First Impressions contest opened for submissions that autumn, I was ready—or so I thought. I submitted the prologue for my debut novel, Unblemished, and I eagerly awaited contest feedback as I continued to develop my story. After months of waiting, I learned I was a finalist! I was over-the-moon excited. It was a feeling like no other I had experienced at that point in my writing career. Being a finalist was a small step toward my goal of finishing my novel and one day seeing it published. It was a confidence boost, to say the least. A little nudge that whispered, “You can do this. Keep going.”

I ended up winning first place in the Young Adult category that year. I had plenty of valuable and even encouraging feedback from the judges, but with any positive feedback, there is usually a critique sandwiched in somewhere. Across the board, the judges felt my prologue was, though well-written and intriguing, well . . . it was a prologue. And, as you may know if you’re also a writer, readers and writers alike have strong opinions about prologues.

“The prologue contained too much backstory,” one judge said. “Prologues are never necessary. Just start with Chapter 1.”

While I don’t agree that prologues are never necessary, the comments from the judges gave me some food for thought. I was new to the novel-writing business, and I desired to be someone receptive to constructive feedback. My prologue had won a contest, but was it necessary? I wanted to grow and learn, and perhaps the way to do that was to nix my prologue all together.

Or perhaps there was another option.

As a lover of prologues (see my strong opinion coming through there?), I wasn’t quite ready to take the ax to my opening pages, so I paused and sought advice from a trusted mentor, author, and friend. She graciously looked over my novel’s beginning, through Chapter 1, and she agreed with the judges’ feedback, but she took it one step further—she gave me a word of advice I still hold close to this day.

“Story begins when change happens for your protagonist,” she explained. “The change in your prologue is from a side character’s perspective. The real change for your protagonist begins in Chapter 1, in the present day, at her mom’s funeral.”

As difficult as it was to hear, she was right. And because she explained her reasoning in a gentle and kind way, her feedback was easier to digest. I knew she wanted to see me suceed.

I always tell young writers who come to me for advice to take criticism with a grain of salt. Your story is your story and, in the end, no one knows it better than you do. But when the same feedback comes from several people who deliver it with the intention of helping you grow as a writer, rather than to tear you down? Now that’s criticism to consider.

Making the Change Official

I wish I could say I immediately wisened up and implemented that sage advice. But it took me a full year and several more contest entries to see the light. I won the ACFW Genesis Contest the following autumn in 2014, and new judges sang the same tune after reading through Chapter 1—the prologue from a side character’s perspective was intriguing, but the real start of the story was Chapter 1.

“I have to be honest, I had trouble sticking with it through the prologue,” one judge noted. “I wish the story started with the first chapter. It was stronger, in my opinion.”

“Heavy on narrative in the beginning,” another judge wrote. “First 3 1/2 pages have no dialogue. After that, it’s fine.”

If you’re a writer, you are familiar with the phrase “kill your darlings.” But I didn’t want to kill my prologue. I loved it. The backstory was pertinent to the plot. And since my protagonist was a baby when the original prologue took place, there was no possible way to tell it from her perspective. Or was there? What was a prologue-loving author to do?

After a bit of brainstorming, the answer finally came. I could have the best of both worlds. There was a way to keep that scene. I could place it later on in the story, as a flashback. You can find a revised and rewritten version of it from the protagonist’s perspective in Chapter 36 of Unblemished. (You can also read the original, unpublished version of the prologue below the paywall at the end of this post.)

As for the prologue, I decided on a compromise. I would keep it as a short foreshadow, a teaser of what was to come from my main character’s perspective. No longer than a single page.

“This is all my fault.

She’ll lose her soul because of me.

I stare at Verity’s vessel and search his stony eyes for some sign he’ll do what he must, some sense he’s finally decided to let go.

Do it, my soul pleads. Save her, my eyes implore.

One, two, three breaths before he nods.

Sigh. This is it. The steady adagio of my beating heart plays the coda in my final act.

His face is drawn, pale. The sight pulls at my heartstrings, overtuning them to the point of snapping.

My eyes want to close. I will them to remain open. I won’t abandon him in this. The burden is ours to bear. Together. No turning back.

The enemy raises his sword as the Verity’s vessel creeps toward him. The extended note of hesitation ushers in the last cadence of my life. There will be no encore for me. No reprise or standing ovation. This is my final performance. The curtain is closing, and the audience is taking its leave.

His sword comes flying down.”

— PRELUDE, Unblemished by Sara Ella

When the time came to submit my manuscript to agents and eventually publishers, the new beginning was complete. I can’t say whether or not I would have gained attention for Unblemished if I had kept the original prologue. All I know is that I’m grateful for the many people who took time to pour into me and offer feedback that helped me grow as a writer. I learned that I could implement feedback in a way that worked best for my story. I didn’t remove the prologue completely, but I didn’t keep it as it was either.

Unblemished was contracted with Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins the following year, just three days before my 30th birthday in 2015. A year and a half (and many revisions) later, it was published on October 11, 2016.

I have seven published novels now, and with each one my writing process has adjusted a bit. Every story is different and has different needs, but the one thing that’s remained the same with each new novel I write is the reminder that story begins when change happens. Before I sit down to write that first line, I ask myself, “What’s about to change for my protagonist?”

Sometimes it’s the loss of someone or something. Other times it’s a journey to a new place or even something as simple as a milestone birthday. Whatever it is, think about what’s going to change for your characters. How will that change propel them forward into the action that drives the story?

I know the simple change of revising my prologue all those years ago was just the beginning of my own author story. At the time, the change was difficult, but looking back, I know it was a milestone that propelled me forward. And I’m so glad to be where I am now.

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🌟 Recap & Highlights

We began the session with prayer, then I opened by sharing our focus word for the week—anxious. We can often feel anxious or worried about many things when it comes to our writing, but we can combat those fears and doubts with prayer and God’s Word.

From there, we had three timed writing sprints. In between sprints, I talked about my favorite Christmas reads, and I explained how the internal villains for our characters often come in the form of fear, doubt, or anxiety. At the end of our time together, I announced the winner of November’s candle giveaway (Crystal Grant), and I revealed my final word count for November.

✍️ My No-Word-Count November Progress

It had been so long since I looked at my word count in Scrivener, I had nearly forgotten how to find it. After some searching and math, Scrivener determined I had added 777 words in November . . .

But that couldn’t be right, could it?

Even with how slow a writer I am (and I am a slow writer), I attended a 3-day writing retreat in November, during which time I drafted all of Chapter 2 (3,700 words alone). I had also revised that chapter, and I revised and added content to the Prologue and Chapter 1. Something was off, and I was going to find out what it was.

So after our session, I checked my Scrivener settings. Sure enough, the word count and writing history did not include all of the documents (chapters) in my manuscript. If you’re unfamiliar with Scrivener, it’s a great tool, and there are so many ways to organize your chapters, notes, outlines, character profiles, etc. But it’s also easy for a setting to be off, and when I checked the “compile” settings, I discovered not every document (chapter) in my manuscript was selected.

Suffice it to say, I was relieved to discover that, between drafting and revisions, I had added a total of 6,018 words to my story in November! I’m calling that a win for me. It may not be 50,000, but choosing my story every day in some way or another, regardless of word count, was truly motivating and freeing after a year under pressure of deadlines and a book launch. It was difficult not to peek for 30 days, but I also found that I felt more productive and motivated during each writing session. I might start putting this no-word-count thing into practice more often. At least until I’m close to a deadline again.

📁 Presentation Download

Again, even if you couldn’t attend live, the replay may still be valuable to you if you’re struggling to choose your story every day or find motivation to sit down and write.

The link to the PDF presentation is below.

November 30th Presentation Slides

Thank you for being a Substack subscriber. Your support blesses me greatly, and I hope this presentation and replay bless you as you write.

🎄Give the Gift of Substack for Christmas

Looking for a gift for the writer in your life? A 1-month or full-year subscription to Substack is the gift that keeps on giving. Paid subscribers gain full access to resource downloads, workshop content, Zoom events, and more!

Gift a Substack Subscription

🥰 Ways You Can Support Me

✅ Upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to exclusive content (like what you find on this post).

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

The weather outside isn’t quite frightful yet here in Arizona. In fact, we’ve at long last hit what I like to call the “sweet spot.” Cool mornings and evenings. Days that are neither too hot nor too cold. As Goldilocks might say, our November weather is “just right.”

Not many people realize how cold it can get where I live. Sometimes it even snows down in the valley. It’s rare, but it happens. While I may not be thawing ice from my car windshield this winter, our winds get so strong they can lift trampolines into the air like a Kansas tornado lifted Dorothy’s house. (I know this from personal experience. Now our trampoline is tightly secured to the ground.)

All of that to say, I’m thankful for these short-lived, pleasantly mild days. And I’m grateful for you. If you stick around to read the rest of this newsletter, I have a couple of “thank yous” in store this month as a show of gratitude for your support this year. Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends, and happy November (and almost Christmas) to everyone else!

November Highlights

🥧 A Very “Mary” Thanksgiving + My Favorite Apple Pie Recipe 🍏

✍️ No-Word-Count November Update + FREE Write by Candleight Invite 🕯️

🛍️ Early Black Friday Savings: 25% off an Annual Substack Subscription + a BIG Surprise Coming Soon 🤩

🎧 Glass Across the Sea Audiobook First Listen 📚

🎄 In-Person Event: Local Christmas Market + Christmas Gift Offer 🎁

🥧 A Very “Mary” Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving this week, I would normally be stocking up on groceries, meal planning, and making sure my house is squeaky clean from top to bottom. As Monica Geller from the sitcom Friends once noted: “I’m always the hostess.”

And I love being the hostess. Hospitality is ingrained deep in my heart. My mom was the same way. She catered weddings, planned parties, and put on the best holiday celebrations for as long as I can remember. I take after her, I suppose. I come up with themed foods and drinks for birthday parties, often find myself serving at events or the coffee cart at church, and, of course, I always do a full spread for Thanksgiving.

Turkey, brisket, pie, cream peas with pearl onions, cheesy mashed potatoes, stuffing, country gravy, cranberry sauce, mandarin orange salad, homemade rolls, and pie . . . all the pie! I don’t know any other way to do this holiday. I love it, but I’ve come to learn that not every year has to look the same. Sometimes I am called to host. Other times, I am called to rest. I find it a natural inclination to jump in and serve, but letting others serve me? Now that is a struggle.

I shared some of the difficulties my family has faced this year in my post titled Finding Light in the Darkness. It’s no secret that 2025 has hit us harder than other years. Still, I planned on business as usual. I’d host Thanksgiving because I’ve never known anything else. So when I received a phone call at the end of October inviting my family to simply “show up and be served” for Thanksgiving this year, my initial reaction was to decline the offer.

I couldn’t possibly do nothing, could I? Who am I if I’m not hosting, baking, cooking, on my feet from sunup to sundown, so exhausted by the time we sit at the table to eat that I’m not even hungry? It’s not that my family doesn’t bring food or help when they come over—they do! They go above and beyond (because they’re the best). It’s just that I do not know how not to overdo it. I do nothing halfway. Go big or go home, right? That’s me! I host to impress, and maybe that’s why God nudged me during that phone call to pause my “Martha-ing” for this one holiday and try stepping into Mary’s shoes.

I love the way the show The Chosen portrays these two sisters. Any time in the past I’d heard this story from Luke 10:38–42 I always pictured Jesus favoring Mary and scolding Martha. It was a hard story to hear, especially considering I have always related to Martha. The oldest sibling. The one in the kitchen. The one who was expected to do it all.

³⁸ Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; ⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:38–42

But when I watched the episode of The Chosen that depicts this story (Season 4, Episode 5), I saw it in a very different light. While Jesus still tells Martha that her sister has chosen what is better, He remains kind and gentle in His correction, showing compassion and thanking her for all the ways she has served. It’s a matter of the heart, you see. It’s not that what Martha was doing was inherently wrong. It’s that she was anxious, focused on what her sister wasn’t doing to help her rather than on what was most important—sitting in Jesus’s presence.

While I realize the show has taken fictional liberties (and some may debate that’s a reason not to watch it at all—a debate we can save for another day), I think it does an excellent job of showcasing the heart and character of Christ. Who He was while here on Earth, and Who He continues to be—a compassionate, caring, loving, gracious, and understanding Savior.

This year for Thanksgiving, while it’s an internal struggle knowing I will not be hosting or serving a lavish spread, met with the sounds of delightful “mmms” from my guests, I’m very much looking forward to being present with those we will share this holiday with. To being served and having the chance to sit like Mary did and not worry about what needs to be done. I’ll get back to my “Martha-ing,” I have no doubt. And Martha has her place. Marthas are very much needed. But there’s a time to be Martha, and there’s a time to be Mary. For Thanksgiving this year, I choose to be Mary. (Which is sort of perfect since, while my mom was often a Martha, her name was also Mary.)

As for the one thing I do plan to make for my family at home? It’s not Thanksgiving without my absolute favorite apple pie recipe! 🍏 I came across this recipe while reading Denise Hunter’s Sweetwater Gap over ten years ago, and it has remained a staple recipe in my home to this day. It’s a time-consuming one, but so worth it! If you want to try the best apple pie in the world, check out Aunt Lola’s Blue Ribbon Apple Pie recipe on Denise’s website.

🕯️No-Word-Count November Progress + FREE Write By Candlelight Invite

I thought it would be easier not to look at my novel’s word count for a month, but I have to admit, it’s become more of a challenge than I expected. When I came up with the idea for No-Word-Count November, I wasn’t trying to compete with other writing challenges out there. I simply wanted something that felt doable. Something for those who, like me, felt overwhelmed by trying to reach a certain word count goal within a certain time frame.

Deadlines have their place—I’ve been on book deadlines off and on for over ten years now. But just as I’m taking a break from hosting this Thanksgiving, I also felt the need to take the pressure off my writing during a month when many of us set aside time to focus on our stories.

And I have focused on my story the past several weeks. It hasn’t always looked like adding words to the page. Sometimes it looks like listening to one of my favorite podcasts for research, brainstorming my next scene, or even watching films or reading books inspired by the story I’m retelling. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve added words. I don’t know how many quite yet, but for someone who wants to know every tiny detail of everything all the time, the not knowing has been an exercise in growth and discipline.

It’s also been quite freeing.

It was especially difficult not to look at my word count progress during my annual writing retreat this month. When you’re surrounded by amazing writers keeping track of their word count goals for the weekend, it’s that much more difficult not to peek at your own.

But when we reached the end of the weekend, I realized . . . it didn’t matter how any of us kept track of our progress. That wasn’t the point. The point was that we all showed up to choose our stories together. We all aimed for a goal. Some of us edited. Some of us had a word count in mind. And some of us (*raises hand*) just wanted to draft that next chapter. And I did! I’ve revised a chapter and drafted a new one so far this month. I have no idea how many words I’ve added, but I’m okay with that. Because I’ve made progress on a story that didn’t exist three months ago. Which is all right by me.

I’ve been keeping our Write by Candlelight sessions exclusive to paid Substack subscribers, but for our final session of November, I’m opening it up to free subscribers as well. If you’re looking for encouragement and community, I hope you’ll join us on Sunday, November 30th, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. MST. Feel free to invite a writer friend who might also need encouragement. We will do live writing sprints, and I’ll be announcing the winner of this month’s candle giveaway. (Everyone who attends any session this month is automatically entered to win!) I’ll also turn my word count view back on at the end of the session and share the progress I’ve made.

R.S.V.P. for Write by Candlelight

🛍️ Early Black Friday Savings + a BIG Surprise Coming Soon!

One thing I’ve been incredibly thankful for this year is you—my Substack subscribers. Many of you came over from my newsletter list, and others have joined more recently. Your encouragement, support, and enthusiasm for this new venture of mine have meant the world, and I have so much more in store for my subscribers in 2026.

When you become a paid subscriber on Substack, you’re not only supporting my writing and making it possible for me to share more content, you’re also blessing my family in a big way. This year has been difficult, but I’ve seen so much light and hope among the hard parts.

This week only, I’m sending a bit of that light your way with a special discount on an annual Substack subscription. Use this private link to claim 25% off your first year as a paid Substack subscriber. For a little more than $3 a month, you get access to:

✍️ All writing workshop content & resource downloads

💻 Community Zoom events

📖 Behind-the-Scenes looks at my personal rejections, edits, critiques, and more!

Hurry! Offer ends Friday, November 28th, at 11:59 p.m. The discount is valid for 12 months. After that, your annual subscription will renew at the standard price. You can cancel at any time if you do not wish to renew.

Claim 25% Off My First Year

And, if you love a good Black Friday deal, watch my Instagram THIS FRIDAY for a special deal from Enclave Publishing that you won’t want to miss. Let’s just say there may be a very merry (but very limited) Christmas surprise in store!

🎧 Glass Across the Sea Audiobook First Listen

If you’re anything like me, you love audiobooks. I feel like Sam I Am from Green Eggs and Ham when it comes to audiobooks.

I would listen on a train.

And in a car.

And in the rain.

I would listen here or there.

I would listen anywhere!

I am very picky about my audiobook narrators—when it comes to what I listen to and when it comes to who narrates the books I write. I am so grateful for Oasis Audio and Enclave Publishing because they have allowed me to be involved in the narrator selection process. And my narrators, Meg Runyan and Ramón de Ocampo, knocked Glass Across the Sea out of the park!

The audiobook for Glass Across the Sea is available now wherever you download your audiobooks. You can snag 30 days free from Audible and download it, or check it out for free via the Hoopla app through your local library.

🎄 In-Person Event: Local Christmas Market + Christmas Gift Offer 🎁

I love attending bookish events during the Christmas season. There’s no better gift for a reader than a personalized and signed book wrapped under the tree. If you’re local to the Phoenix area, I would love for you to stop by my booth at the Palmcroft Christmas Festival & Market on Sunday, December 7, from 4:30–7:30 p.m. I’ll be selling signed copies of all my books at the event. They will also have other local artisans, live music, food trucks, a sledding hill, snow, bounce houses, and more!

If you’re not local but you’re still looking for a special gift for the reader in your life, I’ve got something for you, too!

1. Purchase any of my books now through Cyber Monday (12/1). You can order any of my titles from anywhere you wish!

2. Submit your receipt(s) via this form.

3. I’ll send a signed bookplate and a bookmark, as well as a personalized Christmas card, to the gift recipient (and yes, you can claim this for yourself, too). Simply include the recipient’s name and a few other details when you fill out the form so I can best know how to personalize their card.

Offer ends Monday, December 1st at 11:59 p.m. MST. One bookplate and bookmark per book ordered. One Christmas card per recipient. All items will be shipped out no later than Wednesday, December 10th, to ensure they arrive in time for Christmas.

Claim my Christmas goodies!

So Long, Farewell

That’s the news for November. As always, please don’t hesitate to reply via email or leave a comment on this post. I love hearing from you! Until next month, happy reading and writing and everything in between!

Ways You Can Support Me

✅ Upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to exclusive content.

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

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The organization that founded this idea shut down earlier this year, but the November tradition prevails. I don’t know about you, but the only time I’ve ever succeeded in writing that many words in four weeks was during a strenuous deadline. It was not enjoyable. It was not inspiring. It made me feel more like a frantic procrastinator than an accomplished writer.

The truth is that I am a slow writer. I prefer to say I’m a savory writer, but that makes me sound more like something edible than a writer who takes time with her words, so we’ll stick with slow (as reluctant as I am to admit it). I’ve always envied my friends who could write fast. They let the mess flow, knowing they can edit later.

But that’s not me. Oh, I’ve tried. I’ve even taken a course on fast drafting. While I came away with golden nuggets of advice from that course, nuggets I’ve carried with me into my own writing process, I have found that "just getting the messy draft done” doesn’t seem to work for me.

I truly wish that it did, but over the years, I’ve learned to embrace my personal process rather than despise it. And my process adapts and evolves a little with each book I write. I learn new techniques and implement them, and I find new tools to add to my overflowing box of resources.

One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the speed at which I write. And thus, the idea of writing 50,000 words in a few short weeks (one of which involves a major holiday, mind you) is downright overwhelming. Really, it’s the camaraderie that takes place during November that I love. That High School Musical feeling of “we’re all in this together.” It’s sitting beside my just-put-up Christmas tree while I write. (Yes, it goes up on November 1st. But don’t worry, we don’t decorate it until Thanksgiving. ;) It’s that sense of community and tradition.

But beyond all of that, what I love most about November as National Novel Writing Month is that it’s a time when I choose to put my story first.

I can think way back to the first year I heard about this tradition. I remember how good accountability and encouragement were for my writer soul. So, I thought to myself . . . what if there was a way to both keep that tradition and take the pressure off at the same time?

It was with this very question that the idea for No-Word-Count November was born.

One full month, 30 days, with your word-count view turned off. A month to choose your story, every day, regardless of word count. A month to reflect, brainstorm, pray, and, most of all, give your story to the Lord.

What does choosing your story every day look like?

Before you tell me that a challenge to write every day feels just as overwhelming as writing 50,000 words in a month, I would absolutely agree with you. But I didn’t say, “Write every day.” I said, “Choose your story every day.”

Choosing your story is about more than putting words on the page. Choosing your story can look like timed writing sprints, prayer, brainstorming, rereading the last chapter you wrote, working on a character profile, researching your setting, and a host of other tasks that put your novel first. You may not add many words to the page, and that’s the beauty of this challenge: You don’t have to!

However many words you write or don’t write, choosing your story every day in November is meant to take the pressure off and encourage you to put your focus where it really matters—on the Lord and the story He has called you to write.

Are you up for the challenge? Everyone is invited to participate, but only paid Substack subscribers get the extra perks!

If you’re a paid Substack subscriber . . .

I’ve created some bonus perks just for you. Join the challenge in November and you’ll gain access to:

• 🕯️ Weekly Write By Candlelight Zoom Invitation—A time when we can come together to choose our stories, encourage one another, and participate in writing sprints.

• ✍️ No-Word-Count November PDF Journal—Includes a coloring calendar with selected Scriptures for each day of November, as well as journal pages intended for reflection and daily focus.

• 💬 Private Chat here on Substack—A place we can meet and share about our stories, our struggles, and lift one another up with encouraging words.

Are you ready? Keep scrolling for links to everything you’ll need below the paywall. ⬇️ I can’t wait to get started!

Ways You Can Support Me

✅ Upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to exclusive content (like what you find on this post).

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

Access to all No-Word-Count November resources below the paywall. ⬇️

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What I mean when I say, “I’m a morning person,” is that, while I love the early mornings, the quiet, the alone time, the sky as dawn approaches, I’m not always in the best mood when my alarm goes off in the dark. I want to stay in my warm bed. I want to sleep. My mind knows the truth: The day is always better when I begin early, with time to myself—time with the Lord. But my body doesn’t always agree. “No!” my exhausted everything shouts as I hit snooze on my blaring phone. “Just thirty more minutes.”

Sometimes my mind wins. Sometimes my body wins. It’s a daily battle—one I lost the morning of my book release.

It’s no secret this year has brought its trials. I’ve shared in the past about how Glass Across the Sea was nearly lost amidst the storm. This year, more than ever, I’ve come to a deeper understanding of what Proverbs 16:9 really means.

I had all these big plans for my book release yesterday. I was going to get up early (just like I usually do Monday through Friday) and write something here to celebrate first thing. Then I would enjoy my hot coffee slowly, take my time getting ready, and spend my morning working and writing at my local coffee shop once my kids were dropped off at homeschool co-op.

You can probably guess by now that my morning did not go as planned. I did not get up early. In fact, I stopped my alarm on three separate occasions, and by the time I got out of bed, I was rushing to get a single post up on Instagram and make my kids’ lunches. I did not post anything here. My coffee was cold by the time I took the second sip. I threw on the same outfit I wore the day before (because laundry doesn’t do itself). I barely had time to shower, and I definitely didn’t put on makeup. My husband was in a car accident early in the morning (he’s okay), and my son was having all the nerves about his first-ever theatre showcase the same evening. (He was amazing and we are so proud of him!)

Also, a side note my fellow author-slash-parents may relate to: Breaking open geodes from the new science kit we just got was far more important to my son than Mom posting about her book. (He’s not wrong.)

I felt rushed and flustered, and it didn’t really feel like release day at all. With my hair still wet, I ran to the coffee shop, grabbed my iced Cinderella latte and scone, and headed back home to do laundry and meet my husband to make sure he was really okay. (He’s really okay.)

By the time I had a minute to sit and focus on my book release, it was already time to take my son to rehearsal before his performance. There was traffic (and Chick-fil-A, thankfully). When the show finally began that evening, I was tired and glad to just be sitting down. As I watched, I was so impressed with how the group of young theatre kids exemplified what the phrase “The show must go on” truly means.

The show wasn’t perfect. Kids forgot their lines or missed their cues. Sometimes they didn’t project, and I couldn’t hear what they said. Other times, a prop was left backstage or a costume piece abandoned.

And yet, even with all of the unplanned-ness that took place, the show went on. And it was funny and cute and sweet and really just exactly what it was supposed to be.

My release day didn’t go exactly the way I wanted (not even close), but my book still released. And all my amazing readers and author friends still celebrated with me. Glass Across the Sea even earned an orange top release ribbon on Amazon. For a moment there, I’d felt as if I’d missed my book birthday. As if it passed me by and left me behind. I desperately wanted a do-over. But I am reminded of the words Dr. Seuss once wrote about a certain celebration:

My book release came just the same. I didn’t miss it. It came without clean clothes or coffee-shop time or makeup or styled hair. It came regardless of my day going as planned. My expectations were broken, but my book release was not. By God’s grace and provision alone, this book made its way into the world. Glass Across the Sea belongs to the Lord. He is sovereign over everything, including my book release. It was a quiet celebration, but I believe that’s just how God intended it to be.

Thank you to everyone who has picked this book up and given it a chance. I am blessed beyond measure to do what I do. And, as long as God allows it, I’m going to keep doing this book-writing thing. It’s not always glamorous, but it is always, in the end, for His Glory, in His timing, and according to His plan and will alone.

About Glass Across the Sea

Light always finds a way to break free . . .

Noelle Perrault has felt drawn to the tales her glassmaker father told of the four Firefly artisans since she was a child. But when her mother falls under a curse, Noelle suspects the stories are more than mere fables. Their last hope is for her father to embark on a desperate journey to another realm, where he must seek a miracle. Alone but not defenseless, Noelle is forced to navigate battles that rise against her beloved home, while her dearest friend, the prince, vows to help her father.

Dante Marin is a prince prepared to bear the crown. But the king offers an ultimatum: find the fabled Firefly Vestiges, believed to hold the Lamplighter’s ancient power, or forfeit the crown. Only then will Dante be considered worthy of his birthright and given the freedom to choose his bride. But how does one hunt down a legend?

Connected by the past, but forced apart in the present, Noelle and Dante must discover the truth about the Firefly and Vestiges before they lose all hope—and each other—for good. But breaking a curse comes at a great sacrifice—one neither of them predicted. With a mysterious foe rising to power, will they survive, let alone succeed? Or will darkness shroud their future, shattering the light they’ve striven to restore?

Ways You Can Support Me

✅ Upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to exclusive content (like what you find on this post).

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

If you couldn’t attend live, this replay is for you. I encourage you to set aside just over an hour this coming week to listen/watch while you write/edit/brainstorm. I’ve included a link to the slide presentation below for you to download and reference as needed.

Event Highlights (What We Covered)

We began the session with prayer, then I opened by talking about mindset and goals for our time together. From there, we had three timed writing sprints, and in between each sprint I touched on:

• Discovering your story’s spiritual theme

• Embracing your personal writing process (whatever that looks like)

• Giving your story to the Lord

Again, if you couldn’t attend live, I still think the replay could be valuable to you if you’re struggling to make time for your story. (I know I struggle with this most days.) I’ll be posting November’s Zoom invite and writing challenge here on Substack soon. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe so you’re the first to see news and invites for upcoming events and more.

Ways You Can Support Me

✅ Upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to exclusive content (like what you find on this post).

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

The link to the PDF presentation is below.

Read more

Everyone who preorders a signed hardcover from my local bookstore, Changing Hands, will receive physical & digital gifts.

For those who ordered from any other retailer, please note that physical gifts are very limited. Once they’re all claimed, only digital gifts will be available. Submit your receipt via this form to claim your gifts, which include:

• A Glass Across the Sea Lighthouse Bookmark (Designed by

  E. A. Hendryx)

• A Glass Pumpkin w/ Lamplighter Parables Quote Sticker (Designed by

  Hannah Prewett)

• A Signed Bookplate (or signed hardcover if you preordered from Changing Hands)

• Noelle’s Pumpkin Peasant Bread Recipe (Digital Download)

• Digital Wallpaper Art Download for Desktop or Mobile (Designed by Mariposa Aristeo)

🎧 Audiobook and Ebook preorders will receive digital gifts only. The form closes at the stroke of 12 (a.k.a. midnight) on Monday, October 20, 2025.

CLAIM YOUR GIFTS

Bookmark & Bookplate

I have had the privilege of knowing and working with the talented for almost as long as I’ve been in publishing. She took some of my first author headshots, and she never fails to create stunning bookmarks and bookplates for my stories. The ones she designed for Glass Across the Sea are my favorite yet!

Emilie also designed the cover and lighthouse foil stamp for this book. She took my vision for a “pretty dress cover” and brought it to life. And just look at this gorgeous foil stamp underneath the jacket. I think it represents the story perfectly.

Quote Sticker

I met at a writing conference earlier this year. As soon as she showed me her sticker artwork, I knew I had to commission her to create something special for my readers. After some thought, we came up with this design of a cracked glass pumpkin sitting on top of The Lamplighter Parables (the story within my story). I am so pleased with the final result, and I love the quote we landed on. Hannah is such a kindhearted soul, and I hope you’ll give her a follow and support her art (and her writing)!

Desktop/Mobile Wallpaper

I’ve been in love with Mariposa Aristeo’s art since the first time she created a piece for my standalone contemporary retelling of “The Little Mermaid,” Coral. Since then, she has become a mentee, a friend, and now a fellow Enclave author! Her debut novel, Sons of Day and Night, releases in November, and I am thrilled for you all to get a chance to read her words.

The piece she created for Glass Across the Sea has my heart and gives me all the feels. It features Noelle and Prince Dante (the novel’s two protagonists) walking along their favorite hidden seashore. The scene takes place in Chapter 3 from Dante’s perspective, and the quote featured in the artwork is also first found in this chapter.

Their sweet love story is one I can’t wait to share with you. The artwork will be available for digital download in both desktop and mobile formats for all preorder claims.

CLAIM YOUR PREORDER GIFTS

PREORDER FROM AMAZON

PREORDER FROM ENCLAVE FOR 20% LESS

PREORDER A SIGNED COPY AT CHANGING HANDS

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

One of my favorite musicals of all time (aside from Wicked) is She Loves Me. If you’re familiar with the film You’ve Got Mail (also a forever favorite), you can guess the gist of the musical’s plot.

In She Loves Me, the main characters—who are anonymous pen pals—write letters to each other, and they begin their letters just as I have begun this one: Dear Friend.

I like to think of my readers and fellow writers with that mindset. I know it’s a pretty common way to begin an author newsletter. It’s nothing particularly unique or catchy or even creative. But it’s true. And truth is what I hope to share as I continue to grow and write in this space.

This has been a difficult year. September in particular has been . . . heavy. Honestly, that word doesn’t feel quite adequate enough to describe the emotions of the past few weeks. I’m a writer, so I tend to turn to a thesaurus when I can’t think of the right words. And yet, even the thesaurus did not provide the words that fit. Not exactly.

I suppose sometimes there are no words. And when there are no words, the only place left to turn is God’s Word. This year especially, I have been reminded what a refuge and comfort Scripture can be. I wrote about some of the trials my family has faced this year in my post titled “Finding Light in the Darkness.” I shared my thoughts about grief and loss and all the ways God continues to be who He is—faithful and unfailing.

Recent events have proven the world is full of darkness. But even while that remains true, the greater truth is that light ultimately shines through.

I’ve been working on this newsletter for weeks. It was really supposed to go out much earlier in September, but many times what I think is “supposed” to happen is not what ends up happening at all.

This year has shaken me to my core. It has brought a complicated miscarriage, the passing of my father-in-law, and the unbelievable tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s death. I’ve found myself asking God, “Why? Why so much heartbreak in such a short span of time?”

His answer came through His Word, as it most often does.

The word “steadfastness” in that verse is also translated as “endurance” or “patience.” We are called to wait patiently in our faith, through every trial. And we are to do that waiting with joy, knowing that the more trials we face, the more patient we grow. And the more patient we grow, the more rooted we become in what we believe—so that nothing may sway us.

And friend, if you follow Christ, you may have noticed this is a season of swaying. I certainly feel it, and maybe you do too. There are so many opinions coming at us from every angle. This season reminds me of Jesus’s words in Matthew 7.

Our faith is to be founded on the Rock. We are to be planted deeply and remain steadfast, so that when the winds of trial come we cannot be moved.

Charlie said he wanted to be remembered for courage for his faith. His memorial was a testament to that. And the forgiveness his wife, Erika Kirk, showed to the man who took her husband’s life is a shining example of what it means to walk like Jesus.

My favorite part of the memorial’s worship service was when Brandon Lake called everyone to give their attention to “the One Who created us, Who loves us the most.” I get chills every time I watch this clip. Though it was heartbreaking this event even had a reason to occur, it was also uplifting to see so many believers coming together to worship the Lord and remember a man who showed us what it means to live out Paul’s words in Philippians 1:21—“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Here’s what’s true: Death is not the end. Darkness is not the end. Not for those who put their faith in the King of kings. This is why my author tagline has always been “happily ever after is never far away.” Because, though this life guarantees heartache and death and pain, I know how the story ends. The enemy does not win. And I think we can all sing a “hallelujah” for that.

If you’re still reading, thank you. I’m so grateful for your time and support. I know, like me, you probably have a full plate. Many things are vying for your time, and the fact that you’ve taken a moment to read some of my words truly blesses me.

Despite all that’s happened this year, there is still so much to be thankful for as we enter the autumn season. I’ve struggled with finding the balance between grief and joy. And I’ve come to find that the two aren’t mutually exclusive. We can find joy while still being in the midst of sorrow.

I hope some of my words bring you a little joy today. And I invite you to settle in with me for a bit as I share all that’s happening in my life this season.

September Highlights

🎁 August Giveaway Winner + Enter to Win 8 New Reads!

⭐ Book Review Spotlight: Glass Across the Sea

✍️ Writing Workshop: Head vs. Heart Story

📖 Book of the Month: The Things We Can Change by Karyne Norton

🔖 Glass Across the Sea Preorder Gifts First Look: Claim Yours Now!

🏆 Upcoming Events + Teen Readers’ Choice Awards

💻 Paid Subscriber Zoom Event Invite: Write by Candlelight🕯️

Featured on Instagram

Tabitha Caplinger is a brilliant author and sweet friend who never fails to offer encouragement and truth in every post. She’s about to launch some new merchandise in her Live Chosen shop in October. I’m so excited about the Stronger than Darkness tees, especially. Check out her Instagram and give her a follow!

FOLLOW TABITHA

🎁 August Giveaway Winner

Last month, I made the transition from FloDesk to Substack. It’s been a learning curve, but in such a good way. Thank you to all who stuck with me as I moved to this new space.

As promised in my last FloDesk newsletter, one random entry has been chosen. Congratulations, Liv H! Liv said her favorite fall treat is a decaf PSL with oatmilk! I’ve ordered mine that way on many occasions, and I can promise it’s delicious! Liv won the $15 Starbucks digital gift card and an E-ARC of Glass Across the Sea.

I run giveaways as often as I can to send a little “thank you” your way. Your support means the world!

And, speaking of giveaways, I’m currently running a Fall Reads Giveaway with seven other author friends on Instagram. There’s still time to enter to win eight new reads for the cozy season! Giveaway ends Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

ENTER THE FALL READS GIVEAWAY

⭐ Book Review Spotlight

The reality of writing books is this: Not everyone will connect with your words. You can pour everything you have into a story and still receive criticism and low stars. Criticism isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable. I learned a long time ago that scrolling through reviews is not always the best way to spend my time. If I did, I’d likely never write another book again.

Because once a book is out there, it’s out there. I can’t change it. My stories will resonate with some, and they won’t be right for others. And that’s okay. I write for the glory of God and can only hope He will use my words to point my readers to Him.

It is a pleasant surprise, however, when my publisher sends me a positive review from an industry publication. When I received this starred review from Foreword in my inbox this month, I was floored. You can read the full review on their website. It’s just a reminder of God’s goodness and grace. Writing and revising this book about broke me. But I suppose that’s why God laid it on my heart to write a book about finding hope amidst brokenness in the first place.

It’s hard to believe we are less than a month away from release day. I’m nervous and excited for this story to finally reach your hands. I pray that, in some small way, if you read it, Noelle and Dante’s story blesses you. A big thank you (and hug) to all my early reviewers!

READ THE FULL FOREWORD REVIEW

✍️ Writing Workshop: Head vs. Heart Story

My latest Writing Workshop Series is all about the Head vs. Heart Story. In this series, I wrote about why your heart story matters, the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, breaking free from the lies I believed early on in my career, and more.

If this sounds like the workshop for you, the full three-part series is available now. Part 3 includes the complete slide presentation download. Read through it (or listen with the text-to-speech feature in the Substack app) at your own pace.

📖 Book of the Month

She traveled back in time to forget all she’d lost in the future. He loved her enough to let her go. But neither realized the viral outbreak they were tasked to prevent wasn’t the real enemy.

The Things We Can Change is a standalone science fiction thriller with time travel, viral outbreaks, amnesia, and a dash of sweet romance, and will appeal to fans of The Terminator and Bourne Identity. If you like soft science fiction with fast-paced action, plot twists, character depth, and mind-bending time travel, you’ll love this book.

JOIN THE KICKSTARTER

🔖 Glass Across the Sea Preorder Gifts

Newsletter subscribers always get the first look at anything new, and that includes preorder gifts. I’ll be revealing all gifts for Glass Across the Sea preorders on Instagram in October, but if you’re reading this, you have a chance to claim your gifts early—before they’re gone!

Everyone who preorders a signed hardcover from my local bookstore, Changing Hands, will receive physical & digital gifts. For those of you who ordered from any other retailer, please note that physical gifts are very limited. Once they’re all claimed, only digital gifts will be available. That’s why I give my newsletter subscribers first dibs. Submit your receipt via this form to claim your gifts, which include:

• A Glass Across the Sea Lighthouse Bookmark (Designed by )

• A Glass Pumpkin w/ Lamplighter Parables Quote Sticker (Designed by )

• A Signed Bookplate (or Signed Hardcover if you Preordered from Changing Hands)

• Noelle’s Pumpkin Peasant Bread Recipe (Digital Download)

• Digital Wallpaper Art Download for Desktop or Mobile (Designed by Mariposa Aristeo)

CLAIM YOUR GIFTS

🏆 Upcoming Events + Teen Readers’ Choice Awards

I am thrilled to announce that I will be teaching at StoryCon again in 2026. The event takes place in Salt Lake City, UT, February 27–28 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. I’ll be teaching my class titled “Infinity Rejections and Beyond: Why Criticism is Critical to an Author’s Growth” for both the Adult and Teen Tracks.

I hope to see you there in person. Buy my books at the event, or bring your own for the book signing. And, if you feel so inclined to nominate any of my books for the Teen Readers’ Choice Awards, I’d be honored. Nominations are for teen readers ages 13-19 only. You can nominate any of my books for the Best of the Past Decade category. If you’ve had a chance to read an early copy of Glass Across the Sea and loved it, I wouldn’t mind if you dropped it in the Young Adult Fantasy category. ❤️

AWARD NOMINATION FORM

To see other events I’ll be attending, visit the events page on my website.

💻 Paid Subscriber Zoom Event Invite: Write by Candlelight 🕯️

I have been itching to host my first-ever quarterly Zoom event! I hope you’ll join me for an hour of encouragement, fellowship, and writing sprints by candlelight. (Because who doesn’t love candles?) Light your favorite candle, and come ready to write (or edit) together. I’ll be giving away my favorite candle of the month to one attendee. (Pssst! It’s a Glass Across the Sea-inspired candle from Lamplighter Literary.) To protect the privacy of attendees and keep our space safe, this event is for paid subscribers only. All registrations will be verified before approval.

Introverted? No worries! You can keep your camera and mic turned off and just listen and join in the comments if you wish. The replay will be available within a week following the live event.

When: Friday, October 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. MST

Where: Zoom (Keep scrolling to gain access to the registration link below the paywall. If you can’t see it in your email due to the cutoff, be sure to view the entire message in a new tab and scroll all the way to the bottom.) ⬇️

UPGRADE TO PAID

When more friends use your referral link to subscribe (free or paid), you’ll receive special benefits.

• Get a 1-month comp for 5 referrals

• Get a 3-month comp for 10 referrals

• Get a 6-month comp for 25 referrals

REFER A FRIEND

So Long, Farewell

That’s the news for September. As always, please don’t hesitate to reply via email or leave a comment on this post. I love hearing from you! Until next month, happy reading and writing and everything in between!

Ways You Can Support Me

✅ Upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to exclusive content.

📚 Purchase my books by visiting my website or my Amazon storefront. You can also request them through your local library.

☕ Buy me a coffee (or a scone or a cookie). Your kindness means the world!

💕 Follow me on Instagram.

As always, please feel free to review my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, and reach out if you have any questions.

Read more

Workshop content is available exclusively to paid subscribers. Free subscribers will have access to a brief preview above the paywall. Thank you to all my subscribers for your continued support!

If you haven’t read Parts 1 and 2 of this series yet, start here:

Workshop Description

“Write what you know.” This is advice we’re consistently told as writers, whether our first novel is about to debut or we have a hefty stack of manuscripts under our belts. But what if writing what you know keeps you from penning the soul-story you were meant to tell?

In this workshop series, we’ll take a look at what happens when focusing too much on perfecting your craft becomes crippling. We’ll also explore why following market trends isn’t always the best path, and how going against the crowd’s flow actually helps you stand out in more ways than one.

If you’ve been struggling with being “too much in your head” while trying to pour your heart onto the page, this workshop series is for you.

Where we left off . . .

In Part 2, we ended with a challenge to give your story to God and ponder what story He has laid on your heart to write. Whether you’ve completed that challenge or you’re still working on it, feel free to continue with this workshop at your own pace. Here’s what we covered in Part 2:

• The importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.

• The problems that arise when you stay within that comfort zone.

• Why fear is never the answer.

In Part 3, we will conclude with what it looks like to practically put what we’ve covered into action and, more importantly, onto the page. In this part, we will cover:

• Lies I believed early on in my writing journey (and breaking free from those lies).

• What elements make a good story, and how we can learn to write outside the lines.

• Why embracing imperfection at times can be helpful and productive.

Read more